Page 6 - Is the Camera the Friend or Foe of Art - The Studio - June 1893

Is the Camera the Friend or Foe of Art

block. I do not suppose there exists in Europe an From Mr. WYKE BAYLISS, P.B.A.
artist who would not at once admit the value of SIR,—The subject upon which you invite my
photography. opinion is one to which I have given much atten-
At the same time there may be some who think
tion. My views are expressed in my last volume,
that modern exhibitions of pictures display an
" The Enchanted Island and other Studies in Art."
abuse of it. I deal with art in its sevenfold relations—with myth,
Valuable, indeed, as a record of facts, mainly
with history, with religion, with science, with daily
facts already reduced to artistic methods of
life, with Christianity, with value. It is in the chapter
thought, set photography may be used, and is, I
entitled " The Robe of Amethyst," that you will find
am told, being largely used by portrait-painters
what I have to say on art in relation to modern
who, unless I have been wrongly informed, are
science. If there is anything there you would like
beginning to photograph their sitters upon their
to quote it is at your service,—Believe me, yours
canvases, and paint over.
faithfully,
If this is the case the ruin of the art of portrait- WYKE BAYLISS.
painting is certain. There is yet another danger 7 NORTH ROAD, CLAPHAM, S.W.
to be apprehended. It was the custom when
*,* The paragraph which seems to be specially
artists travelled for their note-books to be con-
applicable to this subject runs :
stantly in their hands, and every impression was
either carefully or summarily therein registered. I " The microscope adds to our knowledge, but it
have been told that the kodak has taken the does not help the artist ; it rather conflicts with his
place of the note-book. sense of proportion. The telescope seems to bring
If this be true the lamentable absence of things nearer; but the painter loves to see the hills
interest in our annual exhibitions is to be in blue distance. It is quite possible to see too
accounted for. much. It is even possible to know too much, if
Photography can never be an art, though it may knowledge holds us in its meshes when we should
be a valuable adjunct ! Yes. But if it ever is used abandon ourselves to the imagination. Already to
by an artist instead of his pencil where he could the average sight there is more visible than can be
use his pencil, it will prove to be the destroyer of expressed in art. To increase the intensity of the
art instead of being, as it should be, an aid. vision, therefore, or enlarge its range, is only to add
I would write a great deal more upon your to the artist's embarrassment and the difficulty of
subject, but I fear to take up space in your journal. his choice, unless the increased intensity and en-
—Yours very truly, larged range enable him to penetrate and to grasp
W. B. RICHMOND. the higher as distinct from the lesser truth."
BEAVOR LODGE, W,
From Professor FRED. BROWN.
From Mr. FRANCIS BATE.
SIR,—In reply to your letter I beg to say that in
SIR,—It would be a long matter to consider, with
my opinion photography has had no influence of any
anything approaching completeness, the influence
kind on the best art of to-day, though it has con-
that photography has had upon the arts. I know but
siderably affected a large number of painters. Its
little of the technique of photography, and should
influence, however, on the appreciation of art has,
on that account more than hesitate to express an
I think, been prejudicial, as it has established in
opinion on the subject you propose, were it not
the mind of a large number of people a standard
that my convictions are very strong that photo-
of mere accuracy. Judged by such a test the
graphy has affected pictorial art injuriously. Many
great works of the past would not appear remark-
photographers are artists, and use their camera to
able. As the invention of photography has not in
produce highly artistic and charming work. But
the least detracted from their excellences, so neither
it seems to me that the results possible with the
can its use or influence be of any benefit to the
camera are so different to, and inharmonious with,
artist of to-day. Art and photography run on
what I feel should be the first desire and endeavour
entirely different lines.—Yours truly,
of the picture painter, that I would deprecate, at
FREDK. BROWN.
any rate in this limited sense, any confusion or
SLADE SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.
association of the two practices.—Believe me,
sincerely yours, From Mr. WALTER CRANE.
FRANCIS BATE.
APPLEGARTH STUDIO, BROOK G W. SIR,—In reply to your question, I would say that